The weather forecast looks great for Tuesday! Let's do an amazingly scenic ride in the Randolph-Jefferson valley area. The route follows the Presidential Rail Trail into The Pondicherry National Wildlife refuge for most of the way. We will ride the rail trail for 2 miles and then cut over to Valley Road which is a smooth, scenic dirt road. The lupines are blooming in the fields and they will make the rural country views absolutely beautiful. After 3 miles on Valley Road, we will reunite with the rail trail again at its intersection with route 115 and follow it 4.5 miles into the Pondicherry Wildlife National Refuge. This area has great scenery and panoramic views of the Presidentials and magazine-worthy photographic opportunities. On the return, we can retrace our route or ride some pavement on Israel's River Road as a change of venue for awhile. Total Mileage out and back is about 18.5 flat miles.
Start time: 10:00 am, ready to bike.
The ride will start at the Bowman parking area (hikers parking for the Castle trail) on the left (south) side of Route 2. From the Conway area, drive north over Pinkham Notch on route 16. Take a left onto Route 2, drive through downtown Gorham then take a left again on Route 2 as it heads west towards Randolph. Drive about 8.4 miles to the Castle Trail parking area, on the left. It is about 3 miles west of the Appalachia trail head parking area. Bring water, lunch, camera and bug defense.
To view the route, click this link:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nh/randolph/275124485600141373
For those heading to the Bowman parking area and wishing to carpool, meet at the Jackson XC/Wentworth GC parking lot directly across from the J-Town Deli at 8:55am.
Need more miles after looking out the window at the rain? Marianne is contemplating a ride extension. Does anyone want to join her and start from the east end of the Pinkham B Road? This will add 18 miles to the day, and it includes a climb on Pinkham B and a ride on Durand Road, which is parallel to and north of Route 2. Durand Road ends about 1/2 mile before the Bowman trail parking area. Meet the rest of the riders at Bowman ready to ride at 10:00 after this "warm-up". Call or email Marianne if you want to do these extra 18 miles: 383-9232 or marianneborowski@yahoo.com.
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